Photo Credit: Rawpixel Think estate planning is only for seniors? Well, estate planning can be just as smart for you as it is for your parents and grandparents. That’s because the point of creating an estate plan is to protect your loved ones from the undue stress of having to make decisions and foot financial obligations when they are also dealing with their feelings of grief over losing you. Wondering where to start? Real Life with Heather shares some crucial estate planning steps every adult needs to take. Buying Burial InsuranceIf you want to save your parents or other loved ones from having to cover your end-of-life costs, you should consider buying burial insurance. Burial insurance tends to be fairly budget-friendly and provides benefits that can offset funeral expenses and help out with debts, including personal loans and hospital bills. You should determine what all your final arrangements will entail and how much you need to protect your family. Purchasing Life InsuranceBurial insurance provides basic financial protection and can benefit just about anyone. If you have larger debts or a family who depends on you for income or care, CNBC suggests you really should be researching life insurance as well. The larger payouts that come with standard life insurance can help with mortgages and other major expenses, plus your policy will likely be cheaper. Planning Their Own Funerals If you want to ensure that your life insurance or burial insurance funds will cover funeral costs for your loved ones, then you also need to plan your own funeral, notes The Motley Fool. This may seem like a stressful task but using an online guide can help keep you focused and objective. Once your plans are laid out, you should share them with a trusted friend or loved one, to ensure they are honored. Appointing Legal GuardiansParents need to think even more seriously about estate planning. One of the most crucial steps parents can take to protect their children is to appoint legal guardians/conservators. This will ensure that kids do not end up with family members they do not know or even in the foster system. Have furry kids in your family? You should appoint caregivers for your pets as well so that you will know they are taken care of even if the unthinkable should happen to you. Planning for Long-Term CareHaving a plan for long-term care can be crucial for your well-being, whether you’re in assisted living or a nursing facility. Many younger people choose to purchase long-term care insurance to help offset the costs. It’s never too early to research facilities and their costs to get an idea about potential expenses. Senior Care offers pricing information on several Dallas-based skilled nursing facilities. Drafting a Last Will and TestamentWhen you need to appoint guardians or caretakers for your pets and children, AARP points out that you typically include those details in your last will and testament. This is a legal document that ensures your last wishes are carried out after your death, and your will should also include other provisions regarding your estate. For example, if you have any personal property or assets, you can use your will to divide them among your friends, family members, or even charities. Completing Advance Directives Because your friends and family members can also be faced with making decisions about your medical care during an emergency, you should also include advanced medical directives in your estate and end-of-life planning. Decisions to be made include whether you would like to be resuscitated, donate organs or stay connected to life support systems. These directives require a physician before they can be honored, but you will also need to assign a power of attorney. And as with many of these steps, it’s important to discuss these matters with a lawyer. Organizing Financial PapersLast but not least, if you have any documents regarding bank accounts, personal info, life insurance policies or passwords for essential accounts, you should make sure these papers are kept organized and in a safe location. Also, make sure that a close family member or friend will have access to these documents in the event of your passing so that they can take care of any crucial business. Taking this important planning step can save your loved ones a lot of stress. Estate planning may seem like a waste of time when you feel like you have your whole life ahead of you. The truth is that you can never predict when the unthinkable will impact you and your family. So, protect them by checking estate planning off of your to-do list. Setting goals and working to accomplish them is a very personal experience as no two people will have the same picture of the ideal life in their mind. Real Life with Heather inspires people to take charge of their lives and make them as amazing as they can be. Check out more informative blog posts today!
In today's edition of money making apps we're actually not looking at an app (though there is one for your phone should you want to do online shopping on the go) but rather an extension to your browser. Rakuten isn't likely brand new to you, you likely know several people with the little R logo in the top right hand corner of their browser. But you may not be taking advantage of the cash back that they offer yet so I wanted to bring a little extra attention to it in this series just in case. The thing I like about Rakuten is that it just sits in the top of my screen, quiet and unobtrusive, until I go to a website that it can save me money on. Then it lights up and is like hello, over here, click me to save money... more or less. :) The app works off of a simple shared commission strategy- they make money so they share it with you once a quarter in the form of a "Big Fat Check" to your mailbox of PayPal account. I wanted to share a few items that I had received cash back on in recent months. The amount of cash back varies per store and sometimes even by department so it is good to check and see if another coupon might save you more money if they percent is low for your purchase store/department but if coupon codes are not for you (or if they are and this still makes you more, because it did in the cases below for me as well as many other times) then download the Rakuten app and get started on your first Big Fay Check. As per usual, I am including the PayPal screen shot for one of my recent checks from them. It was a lower quarter for me as I had been avoiding online shopping but I gladly put the nearly $12 into my budget for something fun in my office. I have a referral code for this extension if you are looking to get started with a a guaranteed Big Fat Check at the end of the quarter. Using my referral code is worth up to $30 currently. If you would like to join using my code, it is 28187. Until next time,
Image from Pexels.com Everyone knows that exercise is good for your physical health, but what about your mental health? According to research, leading a physically active lifestyle rather than a sedentary one can significantly impact our well-being. Not only do we get to look good, but we also get to have a healthy mind in a healthy body. If you're wondering how it works, check out these 5 ways exercise can boost your mental health. How to start being active?To begin, you could incorporate some physical activity that doesn't require a lot of time or effort into your daily routine. For example, you can choose to walk or cycle to your workplace instead of taking the bus or going by car. Then you can gradually add some organized physical activity a couple of days a week. Going to the gym, running, or having a home exercise routine, for instance. In the end, the goal is to make exercising an essential daily habit that will help you enhance both your physical and mental health. Now that you know how to start being more active, here are the reasons why you should keep workouts in your daily routine. 1. Improve the quality of your sleepLack of sleep can affect your capacity for concentration and induce anxiety. That can have a negative effect on your working capacity and social skills. Being physically active can increase not only the quality but also the quantity of your sleep. Exercising has the same effect on your body as a shower, by raising its temperature. A high body temperature means that you are active, so your mind will stay awake. When your body starts to chill, it gives the mind the signal that it is time to sleep. That is why exercising first thing in the morning is a great way to get your mind and body ready for the day. On the other hand, doctors recommend avoiding exercising right before sleeping and leaving at least 2 hours in between. As much as exercising can help you overcome your sleeping problems, it can also increase them if done improperly. Image from Unsplash.com 2. Fighting depression and anxietyWhen you exercise, your brain releases endorphins, which are the chemicals that make you feel happy. The more and regularly they are produced, the more comfortable and less anxious you will feel. Exercising also helps you keep your mind active and free of the negative thoughts that are fueling depression. Furthermore, doctors advise those suffering from anxiety and mild depression to try exercising before turning to medicine. It is an easier way to treat your mind and save money on medications. Also, you don't need to spend too much time exercising. 15 to 30 minutes a day will release enough endorphins to keep you happy. 3. Exercise, socialize, and have funAside from being good for your body and mind, you can have fun while exercising and turn it into something enjoyable. Instead of staying alone at home, exercising with friends could help you maintain a healthy social life. That will boost your mood and especially your mental health. Doing yoga with a friend or running through the park together is a great way to socialize and have fun. Even going by yourself to fitness classes can help you make new friends that have common interests. At the same time, exercising could be done while playing. So, you could use games to have fun with your kids or family while also working out. For instance, you can play tag in the yard or have a cycling competition through a park. In a word, one of the 5 ways exercise can boost your mental health is by having fun while working out with your friends and family. Image from Pexels.com. 4. Boost your brainStressed people commonly struggle with creativity, which can affect their productivity and create a vicious circle. If you are less productive, it will affect your work, and if you are unhappy with your work, you will become frustrated. People who are frustrated are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as drinking, smoking, and so on. Exercising can help you exit this endless loop and give your brain a boost. Studies have shown that doing cardio, for example, helps your brain produce new cells that will improve its overall performance. Not only does this help boost your creativity, but it also keeps your mind sharp and concentrated. Within 5 to 10 minutes of beginning your workout, you will feel the benefits of exercising for yourself. In the long run, exercising will help you fight addictions, improve your memory and learning capacity. 5. Grow your self-esteemHow we view ourselves is important to our mental health and our ability to cope with social pressures. Even though self-criticism can be constructive, it can do more harm than good if it becomes obsessive. You have to realize that no matter your age or size, you are not the only one struggling with weight problems, health issues, or low self-esteem. There are plenty of people out there that wish they looked different or that they were more healthy. The good news is that exercising can help you grow your self-esteem if you practice it correctly. For instance, adding a goal before starting to exercise that you can reach. Having too high expectations from the beginning will only make you lose focus and interest. Instead, take it one step at a time, and grow constantly. You will have better results, and it will improve the way that you perceive yourself. Besides ending up having a great-looking body, you will also improve your mental health. Image from Pexels.com Final wordsPeople who choose to exercise regularly can feel the impact it has on their mental health each day. They have more energy, sleep better, are more creative and productive, and have higher self-esteem. Who would have guessed that something as easy as exercising for at least 30 minutes a day could help so much? These 5 ways exercise can boost your mental health demonstrate how being active can help you have a healthy mind inside a healthy body.
Meta Description: If you are looking for an easy way to improve your mental wellbeing, these 5 ways exercise can boost your mental health can be your answer. In today's edition of money making apps we're looking at Pogo. Pogo is an app that is a little bit different than others that we have previously looked at as it links to your debit and credit card rather than requiring you to upload receipts. When you make a purchase it automatically recognizes the purchase and you simply go into the app and claim it. Sometimes it will ask you about the purchase but not always. For instance, it doesn't seem to ask me about my electric bill but it always asks me about my McDonald's purchase- did I go inside or go through drive through, what did I buy, etc. Its an easy to use app which I appreciate but my morning drink stop has gotten a little redundant to answer the same question about each day haha. Their website shows the processs as below: Pogo is the newest app that has made it onto my keep list so I have only received one payout to date but it was a simple payment process to have it sent over to my PayPal once I hit the $3 threshold. I love that it uses actual cash rather than gift cards. Screengrab of the payment to my PayPal account so that you can see what they look like: I do have a referral code for this app if you are looking to get started with a little extra right from the start. Using my referral code is worth 1,000 points currently. If you would like to join using my code, it is 8DX6E. Until next time,
In today's edition of money making apps we're looking at NCP Mobile, another receipt submission app but this one is a little different as you don't actually upload the receipts but rather the UPCs of the items you purchase. I have found that it take a little bit longer to use than the other apps I have talked about so far but once I got into a habit of and had the process down I was significantly faster than the first time I used the app. The National Consumer Panel (NCP) describes their app as: NCPMobile is the grocery shopping app of National Consumer Panel that lets you earn gift cards and other shopping rewards for telling about the items you purchase. You’ll scan the UPC barcodes of the items you buy (or tell about non-barcoded items), and in turn you’ll earn reward points to redeem for gift cards and other rewards. Don’t limit yourself to groceries: tell about all your purchases, from gas to prescriptions, and earn your shopping rewards! One thing they don't mention is that there is also a survey component to that app to earn extra points should you be interested in completing additional surveys. Sometimes they are super easy- tell us how many canned soups you have and scan the UPCs into the app (a recent one I completed) and sometimes they are a little more boring- tell us about your grocery store brand habits. They are always pretty short though and offer a choice between a set number of points or half that number and entries into a drawing for a larger prize. I'm typically more definite rewards focused so haven't entered any of the drawings yet but I may give one a try in the future just to see how it goes. This app is one that I am still trying to get into the groove of using consistently for things outside of groceries. Once I do, I expect my gift card redemptions to go up. I have only been utilizing my grocery purchases to date though so need to get on it and get those extra rewards for my gas receipts as well (my pharmacy expenses are $0 at this point in the year since I met my cap in February). There isn't a referral link for this app but if you are interested I would check out the app store for your phone, it was quick to find and the logo is above if you want to make sure you are using the right app. Until next time,
Photo via Pexels During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people found themselves furloughed or unemployed. Perhaps you have been trying to find stable employment for months, but despite your best efforts, you’re still struggling financially. Reading up on personal finance advice on Real Life With Heather can help you start taking small steps towards economic stability. In the meantime, here are a few other strategies you can use to get back on your feet over the next couple of months. Move to a Cheaper Rental If your housing costs are eating up a large chunk of your budget, it may be time to think about moving into a cheaper rental. You can save time and make your search easier by filtering out apartments in the Fort Worth, TX area that don’t meet your requirements with a real estate platform like Rent.com. You’ll be able to enter your price range so that you only see options within your budget - in Fort Worth, you should be able to find plenty of apartments for anywhere from $400 to $900 per month. In addition, you can select other filters, like pet-friendliness or the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you need. You could also specifically filter for apartments with certain amenities, such as covered parking lots, pools, or gyms in the apartment complex. Make a Strict BudgetIf you’ve never made a structured budget before, now is the time to start. You will need to include all of your income, your fixed expenses, and your debts. Next, determine how much you can spend on your variable expenses, such as groceries. Finally, see if you have wiggle room in your budget for occasional treats now and then. Make it a point to stay strictly within your budget until you have secured gainful employment again. Where to Cut SpendingWhat if you’re looking at the estimated budget you have written out, and you’re struggling to figure out where you could actually cut down on spending? Sofi suggests that you can turn down your thermostat to save on your energy bills, reduce your grocery bills by looking for deals and avoiding pricey snacks, and refinance any loans that you may have. You can also look for fun, affordable activities in your area! Look for WorkIf you worked in an industry that was affected negatively by the pandemic, you may not have been able to find a new job in your field yet. For now, you might need to be open to the idea of working in another industry or doing some freelance work on a part-time basis while you continue hunting for the right full-time position. To let people in your life know that you’re looking for work, The Muse recommends sharing your situation on social media, reaching out to one person at a time to see if they could refer you to an employer and even attending networking events, which will likely remain virtual during the pandemic. Seek AssistanceYou might not be able to cover all of your expenses on your own right now. If you have found yourself in this position, you’re not alone, and it’s okay to look for help and apply for financial assistance. You may want to begin researching local programs that have been set up to help people who have suffered from financial hardships because of the pandemic.
Dealing with economic uncertainty can be anxiety-inducing. But you have the tools to rebuild your finances and overcome these obstacles. By taking simple actions to save in your daily life while seeking your next job opportunity, you can make it through this challenging time. Ready to make a budget and stick to it? Get actionable tips and advice from Real Life With Heather. Browse the blog today to start getting your personal finances under control.
Other than cash back from receipts there are additional bonuses for shopping online through them or earning various 'badges'. These badges can be earned by joining partner apps and websites. I rarely get additional badges as I am typically not interested in the services offered but when there is one that is for a website I have been looking at you better believe I go through CoinOut to get that extra bonus. The website states: With CoinOut, you'll get a random reward for every receipt you upload! You can also earn by shopping through CoinOut for email receipts and signing up to CoinOut partners. The average cash back for me is about $5 per month but could go up now that they are rolling out a program to link some of my online shopping to the app. Again, if I earned badges I could easily make $30-40 each month on this app but I am not currently interested in doing so. That may be something I look at in the future though. In order to cash out with PayPal I have to get to the $20 threshold (they also have Amazon gift cards and bank transfers). Here is one of my previous PayPal notifications showing that I received payment. It showed up in my account the same day in my case. I do have a referral code for this app if you are looking to get started with a little extra right from the start. Using my referral code is worth $1.75 currently. If you would like to join using my code it is RCZ9JND. Until next time,
In today's edition of money making apps we're looking at Fetch Rewards, another receipt submission app. One of the reasons that this app made my list of keeps is that it is easy to use- no scrolling through lists of specials and cash back offer lists to check off... just upload the receipt and it automatically searches for qualifying purchases on your receipt. Even if none are found you still get a 25 point reward, every time. Not long ago you would get 25 points minimum for grocery receipts and 5 for each additional receipt but recently they updated the app so that you get 25 points minimum for each receipt, making it much faster to reach rewards thresholds. I liked this app before they did that due to its ease of use but now its one that I never fail to load my receipts into each weekend. The average cash back I get from this app is only $5 each month but since I am not spending much time or effort to upload my receipts I am ok with $60 a year. I can purchase a nice dinner out for Mother's Day for my mom or any number of other budget line items with that extra $60. I will say that if I purchased more brand name items and/or shelf stable items then I would make more cash back but as its just me in my household (and two small puppers) my trips aren't all that large... and since I am gluten free I typically fill my cart with produce and proteins there isn't always something each week that I get extra bonus points for. When I am planning a party or treat myself to some chips or etc. I tend to get bonus points for that purchase, sometimes rather large ones even. If your family is larger or you shop in different ways that I do then the cash back could potentially go up substantially! The website shows how to use the app with some cute graphics: Fetch Rewards pays out via gift cards to a slew of different stores- everything from Auto Zone to Whole Foods. I typically go with Amazon as I buy my household goods through them and have been spending money redecorating my office so needed everything from pens to a phone cord as well as the fun things like décor. Their gift cards are claimed in the app and then emailed to you. One of my previously redeemed Amazon gift cards are below to show you what the emails look like. This is the first one that I have a referral link for. If you use a referral link then you receive bonus points upon sign up, helping you get to your first gift card all that much faster. The current reward for using my referral link is a bonus 2,000 points on your account. If you are interested in using my code it is: HE3JP Until next time,
Photo credit: www.pexels.com Nowadays, most of us lead our lives in the fast lane. We live by the schedule without a minute to spare. And balancing between our career and personal life is not an easy job. In the twirl of all our to-dos, we forget to take care of the most important thing - ourselves. And in times like these, we often feel selfish or guilty if we take some time off for ourselves. Thus, it's no wonder we're exhausted, stressed, and tense all the time. That's why it's not only good but necessary to make time for self-care. And before you say you don't have time for that, we're here to talk about little daily habits everybody can incorporate into their schedule. So, here are 6 summer self-care tips for busy people! Start Doing 4-7-8 Breathing TechniqueMany people think self-care is all about going to spa retreats and getting massages, but it definitely isn't. The best self-care practice is all about the little things you do every day to make yourself feel better and stronger. One of these little things is a 4-7-8 breathing technique. This is something you should start each day with before even stepping out of your bed. What is the 4-7-8 breathing technique? It's a breathing exercise where you take 4 seconds to take a deep breath through your nose, 7 seconds to hold that breath, and 8 seconds to slowly breathe out of your mouth. This may seem pointless or even silly, but quite the contrary. This technique will help you start your day on a good note - relaxed, content, tranquil, and ready to crush at your job. And it only takes 19 seconds to do it! So, as far as summer self-care tips for busy people go, this is by far the easiest one, but among the most effective ones as well. Embrace MindfulnessAnother great breathing exercise that found its spot on our list of self-care tips for busy people is mindfulness. Mindfulness is a technique that will help you refocus and start or go on with your day more calmly. All you have to do is close your eyes and think about your breathing. Concentrate on every inhale and exhale. You can even focus on how your stomach and chest move during practice. If your mind starts to wander, just go back to your breathing. The best thing about mindfulness is you can do it wherever you are and whenever you feel overwhelmed. Additionally, it can take 60 seconds or more. So, you can't say you don't have 60 seconds every day to restart yourself. For example, if the chaos in the office is making you anxious, just find a quiet place and focus on your breathing for a minute or so, and you'll be good to go. Take a Walk Every DayWe all know the positive effect physical activity has on our health. However, if you're a workaholic, you probably don't have enough time for a gym. Luckily for you, you don't need the gym to stay healthy or practice self-care. It's enough to take a short walk around your neighborhood every day. You can do it after work, with your family or alone. Taking a walk is a great way to clear your head and boost your mood and energy. Of course, if you like jogging more, go for it! A run around the block is a great stress reliever! As a plus, it won't take much of your time. All in all, physical activity is a must, no matter if it takes 15 minutes or a whole hour. Therefore, you should turn it into an everyday routine for your well-being to improve your health and practice self-care! Acknowledge GratitudeWith all the chaos and rush we deal with every day, we tend to focus only on negative things that happened to us. And it truly is hard to focus on positives in situations like these. Unfortunately, this is something that brings us down and makes us anxious more and more every day. That's why we recommend documenting your gratitude. Set aside 3-5 minutes of your day and write down 3 good things that happened to you that day. This doesn't have to be something big, just simple things that make you happy. For example, you went to your favorite café, ate the most delicious lunch, or bumped into your old friend. Focus on these little things and let them make your day. Acknowledging your gratitude this way can be highly therapeutic, and it's definitely one of the top summer self-care tips for busy people. Make Sleep Your PriorityEverybody knows how important sleep is. It's vital for your health and general well-being. Therefore, you mustn't neglect it! Even though you're a busy person, you have to get those 7-8 hours of sleep every day. Otherwise, you will feel the consequences on both your physical and mental health. You'll feel tired all the time, you'll become demotivated, you won't be able to focus, etc. This all will harm both your work and personal life. Additionally, power naps are all the rage now, and for good reason! You'll need not more than 15 or 20 minutes of sleep to recharge your batteries and go on with your day like you just woke up from 8 hours of good sleep. These power naps can do wonders, so make sure to put them in your schedule. Include Self-Care Time in Your ScheduleJust like you schedule everything in your life by the minute, you should do the same with your self-care time. Put a self-care marker on both your personal and work calendar. And once it's marked there, there's no going back - you're going to have to do it, just like everything else. It will be just another one of the goals you set for that day. Again, this doesn't have to be anything significant. It can be everything from breathing techniques or talking with a friend to reading ten pages of your favorite book or watching an episode of your favorite show. Practically anything that makes you happy and stops time for a minute or two. Final WordsNow that you read all 6 summer self-care tips for busy people, is your answer still 'I don't have enough time'? We don't think so! These simple tips will take a few minutes out of your busy schedule, but they will help you thrive in both your personal and professional life. As you can see, taking a deep breath before starting your day or going for a short walk can make a huge difference in your everyday life. It's simple routines like these that give us strength for bigger things. So, don't neglect them - embrace them!
In today's edition of money making apps we're looking at Amazon Shopper Panel, a receipt submission app. This app links to your Amazon account and requires that you upload at least 10 receipts each month to be rewarded with a $10 gift card added to your Amazon balance. Occasionally you will also receive invitations to surveys for additional rewards. I've been enjoying using this app as it is super simple and the requirements for a $10 payout months are very small. $120 a year buys me a lot of household supplies on their website, lowering my overall household goods budget considerably for the year. The website's description of the app states: The Amazon Shopper Panel is an opt-in, invitation-only program where participants can earn monthly rewards by sharing receipts from purchases made outside of Amazon.com and by completing short surveys. Upload 10 eligible receipts per month by using the Amazon Shopper Panel app to take pictures of paper receipts or by forwarding email receipts to receipts@panel.amazon.com and you’ll earn $10 towards either an Amazon Balance or a charitable donation. You’ll earn additional rewards each month for every survey you complete. This app automatically pays out once a month with an Amazon gift card to the Amazon account linked to the app, no button pushes to remember or codes to enter. The amount varies depending on how many surveys you receive and complete but as long as you submit the 10 receipts you qualify for $10 each month... the quickest $10 I make each month just about as it takes me less than 5 minutes at the end of a week to knock this out. July was the fifth month I used the app and the fifth month I qualified for the reward. I typically see it hit my account on the first of the month but they do state that it can take up to 48 hours. I am including May's payment notification below so that you can see how it looks. No referral link for this one either and it said that it was invitation only when I downloaded it... but when I put in a request to join it took about a month for my request to be approved so its worth a shot if you haven't been invited yet. Until next time,
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